The Critical Part Where I Need Your Help (spoiler included)

Note: I was blown away by the response to this post earlier this week. I guess it’s really worth it to put yourself out there. This is a follow-up to that post.

I know I left us at a bit of a cliffhanger in the previous post. Hopefully it hasn’t been keeping you up at night. (And if it has, sorry about that. I owe you some warm milk.)

When we last left off we were discussing vulnerability and the possibility of me doing something that could be really big and significant.

Of all the things that I’ve taken on with Illuminated Mind, I’ve never approached doing something at this level before. And I’ve done quite a bit…

… I’ve coached people to help them quit their jobs.

… I’ve created a library of resources to help people work on their own terms.

… I’ve written and sold a popular ebook.

… I’ve been lucky enough to be featured on places like Business Insider, Zen Habits, and Lifehacker.

… I’ve run five live courses on finding your passion and making an income from it.

… And I’ve been blessed to be able to be a leader in this space and help a lot of people.

All of this has been awesome. And I’ve received a lot. The people that I have the pleasure to interact with have changed my life in a lot of ways.

But there’s one thing that people have been asking me for for a long time.

For whatever reason, I’ve resisted. I thought it would be too difficult. I didn’t think I’d have enough time. I thought that I needed more preparation. And I’m realizing now that these were limiting beliefs and excuses.

Lifting back the curtain; revealing what I’ve been hinting at

I’m seriously considering creating what you’ve been asking for. Regardless of all the hesitations, worries, and how much work this will be, I’m contemplating creating a live event where you’ll meet up and conspire with other renegades and be able to borrow my brain.

It will be organized as a type of mastermind, but the reality is, it’s going to be much more than that.

And if I do create this, it will likely be the first mastermind in the lifestyle design space.

Because I always co-create everything I put out there, I will be working diligently, side-by-side with you to create this experience. But here’s the heart of what it will include:

Three live mastermind meetings with myself and other world changers per year (two full days for each event). These will be intense, intimate, and incredibly transformative.

I’m thinking it will involve 10-15 people. It will not be a conference type of an event.

Hanging out with me in person and getting strategic advice from me on building the business that supports your freedom.

A year-long alliance of other people doing what you want to do who are deeply invested in your success. This will be a tight-knit, exclusive community.

Monthly, virtual group sessions.

A few sessions with me one-on-one. (This is the only way you can get time with me. You couldn’t buy my time from me right now even if you wanted to, as I’m not taking new clients).

And some other awesome things that I can’t share right now (I can’t give everything away too soon!).

The purpose will be to create a private alliance of trailblazers where the collective wisdom, experience and motivation of others propels you to new levels of success in work and in life.

You’ll also get an inside look at how I run my business and live on my own terms.

Getting vulnerable again (I need your help)

The idea of doing this scares the hell out of me and makes me feel a bit vulnerable. So again, I need your help on this one.

I really only want to do this if there is enough demand.

So, I’d really like to know:

Is this something you’d be interested in?

Should I really do this?

What do you think?

You are really the one in charge of this community. Your thoughts and encouragement are what inspires me.

If you have a second, I would really appreciate your input. Leave a comment as simple as “Yes, do it!” or “No, you’re insane!” and let me know what you think.

Go for it Jonathan! I love mastermind groups – they energy and the connection is definitely more than the sum of the parts and I know you would make a wonderful leader / facilitator. Can’t wait to hear more.

I’m quoting my grandmother, so this swear-word doesn’t count. Ready? Absofuckinglutely! It sounds amazing, beautiful and powerful. Not only will you teach others, but you will learn so much from the experience.

Now that I’ve followed your instructions, I’m going to add my 2 cents. Jonathan you are an amazing person. You bring insight and understanding to the lifestyle design space like no one else can. A Mastermind with you would be freaking insane.

Yes! You’re one of the only people I can find actively discussing Lifestyle Design, which is what I am building my business around. Your community is fertile and the world needs more of it. I so appreciate your advocacy of this. Suerte!

It has been a gift to watch your work and you develop over this past year that I’ve been listening and following. This sounds like an exciting new opportunity for you as well as those that team up and share it with you.

No, you’re insane! Just kidding. I think it’s a wonderful idea, Jonathan. Masterminds with other people who are every bit as committed as you are always incredible ways to move forward, fast, and every digital-RL event I’ve ever gone to has been a blast. I would love to see you follow your gut + the only thing I’d say besides go for it! is I hope you really play with the execution, and not feel bound to ways that other mastermind/coaching/live events have been done in the past. I think there’s so much room for new event formats that we haven’t seen yet, and am excited to see what’s ahead (& possibly participate!)

p.s. I recently read The Chairs Are Where The People Go, which is a really cool book of a local (I think?) improv teacher that contains fascinating insights re: facilitating intimate events for groups! You might find it useful in the near future :)

@teezeng We’re definitely planning on making this thing a bit different, unlike any other event that I’ve seen. It’s a lot of fun when you start thinking about all the possibilities. I’m really excited to see how this will unfold.

I’ve just subscribed but I’d love to start off by being involved in some way! I’m extremely interested in helping people find their passions and also helping others to lead happy, successful lives whatever that may be to them. So happy to have found this blog and would love to help and or be involved in any way. = )

Absolutely – this sounds excellent. And beyond what everyone else will get out of it, I would imagine it would be incredibly enlightening for you as well. I would love the opportunity to get together with 10-15 people over several meaningful two-day periods and spread great ideas. That’s what it’s all about if you ask me!

You’re stretching out into unknown territory: Do it! Sounds like a crazy wonderful endeavor that would drastically change the lives of 10 – 15 lucky people. I’m sure there’d be a wait list for it immediately.

I think this sounds brilliant! And I personally would actually be interested, so I can only imagine how many hundreds of thousands (millions?) of other people might potentially be as well. My only suggestion would be to diversify the people you help: I think it would be instructional+profitable to meet with proven business leaders/established serial entrepreneurs, but also rewarding+fun to meet with everyday joes/first-time business owners (like myself)…

And in a much less self-serving sense, my dad always taught me to consider the best and worst case scenario. The worst case scenario here is that you meet amazing people and nothing really stems from it other than some interactions here and there. Maybe you lose a little time and travel money, nothing drastic. The best case scenario is that you both soar, professionally + in the inspirational sense. Definitely more to gain than to lose by trying!

Interesting. Refreshing answer. Good variety. Conversation starter. Out on a limb. I definitely appreciate it :)

Consider the conversation started:

“Seriously? Who says stuff like that? “Well jrg3170, I’m not sure who you model yourself after, or what successful people you study, but I can tell you who says stuff like that:A large chunk of happy, successful people — celebrities who’ve touched millions of hearts. If quotes are needed I can dig ’em up, but meh.

Hey Oprah, hey Barack, can I buy your time? “Uh, not really, but if I’m inspired I’ll do it.”

So yeah, them.

Oh, and Jonathan :P

And it doesn’t feel like your opinion/judgment will effect Jon or any of the people I’m referring to, but good on you for sharing :DStudy the successful.

I hate to say it since I like Jonathan and have followed the blog for a long time–I even bought Paid To Exist back when it was full price–but I have to agree that these latest sales tactics are a bit too much. Saying that one is about to open up and admit serious vulnerabilities, only to learn that it was the lead-up to a new product, just strikes me as dishonest. I’ve been noticing a trend in this direction on the blog, and this was the post that pushed me over the brink to finally unsubscribe.

I think it is a good idea. If you have the time and resources to do it properly, I think it would be beneficial for the ten to fifteen involved.

From a personal perspective, I doubt that I could afford a project of this nature.

If you do it right, and provide value and inspiration to the participants, you won’t feel vulnerable, nor will you need encouragement. If you believe in this project, make it happen, and make people’s lives deliberately better.

@jozz79 _ Interesting. I love the back and forth here :D I’ve read your opinion, and understand that you feel Jonathan has changed in a way you don’t prefer.

I’m curious good sir… do you sell a product? Are you successful? How far along are you on your path of Getting Paid To Exist? Can you explain what “sellout” means, or is it a buzzword you’ve not really put conscious thought into?

@jozz79 I’m sorry you feel this way, Jozz,. I actually think that you are missing the point here. Yes it is about something new being developed and most likely have a cost. But this is more than just “Lets make another buck” It could be something bigger than every other book or course that Jonathan has put together and a showcase of how much IlluminatedMInd has grown thanks to the feedback and support from readers just like you.

I think its important to point out here also, that hes asking for your opinion, your feedback not just trying to develop this on his own. And the people who are agreeing see some value in being able to work with him. Not only that this is a community of support. So not all of the comments are saying – yes I’d join, instead a lot of them are saying yes! this is a good move forward for you(Jonathan).

We are always growing and this is part of that growth. So I hope you will be around to see just how much we can accomplish.

If it feels “right” I think you should do it, this blog is very popular and you will have an amazing response. If you can change so many peoples lives from this blog, think what you can do for someone in person. It will be a great ride I’m sure! Go for it!

Yes! This is an awesome idea! In addition, maybe offer a couple scholarships for the vast majority of us who can’t afford these kinds of programs. Many people who are trying to live their passion are doing it to make more money than they currently can in a job. They’re driven and have a huge “why” but can’t take advantage of these life-transforming programs due to cost alone (without mortgaging their futures). You pick who you think is most driven and has the most potential by having them go through an application & interview process. I also think that offering this opportunity to a handful of people will entice them to pay it forward, offering the same as they become successful.

LOVE the idea of 10-15 people rather than conference style. My team and I do ‘meetings of the minds’ frequently as we are all non traditional in our work. We are artists, performers, teachers and grassroots community builders creating programs for the youth etc. We love and live for the work we do as we watch the community we live in change for the better. It is both thrilling and frightening. We don’t get a traditional paycheck….yet. I think this project you are planning would make quite an impact on this group of ‘action oriented individuals’. We are on the verge of something huge!

I just went to the Womens Economic Empowerment Summit at NYU today. The panelists emphasized how important mentorship is. The event was kinda corporate but it reminds me how much folks with non-traditional values need this kind of support too. Go for it!

I am sure it is a great idea, you will fill a need and you have been developing so much for others this just seems like a progression. I wouldn’t be able to sign up as I did quit my job that was high pay, and I am just getting work and learning to develop new opportunities while I scale down my expenses until I develop the opportunities I am working on. I wish you all possible success

The group thing is an great idea, and I might be interested in joining if it didn’t cost much, as I’m limited on funds and have yet to get my awesome music business going. In fact the group setting has advantages as you get feedback from others as well. Would there be any alternative if the group gets too full or the cost is too much? Perhaps a stripped down online network?

Great idea. The power of associations is EVERYTHING; in business and in life. Definitely a demand for it. The future of the world economy is building personal businesses and communities online. Helping others do this is the next phase in our economical evolution. Thanks for being an example of this and a thought leader in this space.

@adrianneIM _ M y pleasure, I love sharing what I can. I also love a little props for it. Thanks :) The overall vibe of Jon’s whole expression this post, to me, was heartfelt vulnerability. Stuff he personally, has been afraid of doing. I`ve never felt him to be dishonest, and I don`t imagine it`s started now, no matter how it `looks` to others.

@jozz79@adrianneIM The reason I removed your comment was because it was unncecessarily rude and judgmental. That’s not something we accept here. We welcome questioning as well as critique, but done in a decent, human-hearted way.

@JonathanMead@AdrianneLaconi . Sorry to hear you found it rude and judgemental. Which wasn’t my intention, but we may have different views on that matter, for many reasons. If your intentions is not in unison with my comment, I think it could have served perfectly for you to feedback that sort of feedback / thoughts (which of course exists also elsewhere (meso for example) but may not come to the surface), and also of course, for you to see that your post(s) may not always be interpreted the way you want them.

It’s mainly a big clarification that Success + Dishonest Selling Out go hand-in-hand. Jon never lied. There was no dishonesty. He is being authentic and saying what he wants to say. Get over it. Understand it. You’ll be there one day, for it is a traffic light on the high-way of success.

@JonathanMead Hey Jonathan – Thanks for replying. When you’d originally posted that you were about to be more transparent and vulnerable than you ever have, I was a little concerned, thinking that you’d be talking about the sort of thing that most people talk about when they describe themselves as ‘being vulnerable': perhaps admitting a personal weakness or hardship, maybe even something from your personal life that you hadn’t talked about before on the blog. When the next post was essentially a description of your new product, with the fact that the idea of doing it makes you feel a bit vulnerable mentioned almost as an afterthought, I felt as if I’d had my emotions purposefully manipulated as part of a sales pitch.

Of course, now that I think about it after some time has passed, it’s now hard for me to believe that you were purposefully manipulating people’s emotions… which makes me an extra jerk for calling your approach dishonest. :( Although reading a product announcement immediately after someone has opened themselves up and engaged my emotions still gives me a bad vibe for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, clearly I am in the minority, so it seems pretty clear that you should do what the majority of your base recommends and go for it. I got good value from Paid to Exist, so I’m sure the value you provide to those who join your mastermind will be similarly high-quality.

@meso@JonathanMead _ One of the most beautiful and respectful comments I’ve seen in the blogosphere. Looks very very good on you sir. <claps mesos back> – Way to express in a way that helps everyone, man!This made my night! Thank you!

@meso@spiritsentient Thanks Meso, I’m really glad that we could talk about this. It’s hard for me sometimes, because the nature of my business *is* very emotional, and personal. At the same time, I’m mixing or integrating business and service into that communication. It’s often a challenge for me to find the right balance. Reminders like this keep encouraging me to push further to find the right resonance.